Introduction: The importance of correcting tricuspid valve insufficiency in patients with left-sided valve disease is clear. In the United States, up to 30% of mitral valve operations are minimally invasive, while the data for isolated tricuspid valve is not known. A minimally invasive approach to the tricuspid valve provides faster recovery with lower transfusion rates and lower length of stay.
Materials and methods: There are no dedicated right atrial (RA) retractors for minimally invasive tricuspid valve (TV) operations. TV exposure is different from mitral given the proximity of the tricuspid anterior annulus to the cut edge of the atrium. An RA retractor should be shallow while preventing slippage of the RA roof and should be quick to deploy and remove. We created a dedicated minimally invasive RA retractor to expose the TV and RA structures (fossa ovalis and coronary sinus). The retractor is a fenestrated shallow and wide retractor with bilateral articulating "wings" to expose left and right of the atrium. This retractor is compatible with the left atrial system by USB Medical Limited (Hatboro, Pennsylvania) and has tilting capability. A three-dimensional (3D)-printed prototype was modified after evaluation by two experienced minimally invasive surgeons (MCS and RKV). Once modifications were finalized, the retractor was then deployed in surgery.
Results: The RA retractor was used in isolated TV repairs, RA myxoma resection, RA clot removal, removal of RA migrated stents, select mitral valve operations, and closure of atrial septal defects. The retractor proved effective, safe, and fast to deploy and remove and allowed for full visualization of the tricuspid valve, interatrial septum, ostia of both vena cavas, and coronary sinus. The retractor was useful in mitral valve operations with existing aortic valve prosthesis and in the small left atria.
Conclusion: The minimally invasive RA retractor affords excellent, stable exposure of the right atrial structures with fast deployment and removal.